God Has Not Forgotten Us

"God Has Not Forgotten Us”

Scripture: Psalm 74:19 (KJV) - "O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever."

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we gather here, not just as individuals, but as a community bound by faith, hope, and the enduring promise of God's love. Our scripture today, Psalm 74:19, speaks to the heart of our struggles and the unwavering faith that sustains us through every trial. "O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor forever."

Authorship and Context:

Asaph: He was a Levite and a key figure in the musical ministry of the temple. Asaph was known for his skills as a singer and a poet, and he is credited with writing several psalms, including Psalm 74.

Historical Context: Psalm 74 is generally understood to have been written during a time of great crisis for Israel, likely during or after the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. This event marked a catastrophic period for the Jewish people, as their central place of worship was destroyed, and many were taken into exile.

Storyline of Psalm 74:

Psalm 74 is a communal lament, reflecting the pain and anguish of the people of Israel in the face of disaster. The psalm can be broken down into several key themes and sections:

Plea for God's Remembrance (Verses 1-3): The psalm begins with a heartfelt plea for God to remember His people and not to remain angry forever. Asaph asks why God has rejected them and implores Him to consider the ruins of Jerusalem and the devastation of the temple.

"O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?" (Psalm 74:1, KJV)

Description of the Destruction (Verses 4-8): Asaph vividly describes the destruction wrought by the enemies. The sanctuary has been defiled, and the symbols of God's presence have been destroyed. The invaders smashed all the carved work and set the temple on fire.

"Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs." (Psalm 74:4, KJV)

Questioning God's Silence (Verses 9-11): There is a sense of bewilderment and questioning as to why God remains silent and does not intervene. Asaph expresses confusion over the lack of prophetic vision and wonders why God is withholding His hand of power.

"We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long." (Psalm 74:9, KJV)

Recollection of God's Past Deeds (Verses 12-17): This psalmist recalls God's mighty acts in the past, emphasizing His power and sovereignty over creation. These verses serve as a reminder of God's ability to save and deliver.

"For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." (Psalm 74:12, KJV)

Renewed Plea for Deliverance (Verses 18-23): The psalm concludes with a renewed plea for God to remember His covenant and to act against the enemy. The psalmist asks God to defend His cause and to remember the reproach of the enemy against His name.

"O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor forever." (Psalm 74:19, KJV)

“God Has Not Forgotten Us: A Message of Hope and Resilience"

I. A Cry from the Heart: Understanding the Psalmist's Plea

In Psalm 74, we hear the voice of a people in distress, a cry from the heart of those who feel forsaken. The psalmist pleads with God to remember His people, not to abandon them to their enemies. This cry resonates deeply within our community, for we too have known the sting of oppression, the burden of injustice, and the feeling of being forgotten.

Historical Context: The psalm reflects a time of great turmoil for Israel, possibly during the Babylonian exile when the temple was destroyed, and the people were scattered. The psalmist's plea is for God to intervene, to deliver His people from their suffering.

Our Context: We, too, have faced centuries of hardship. From the chains of slavery to the systemic inequalities of today, we understand what it means to cry out for deliverance, to ask God not to forget us.

II. The Turtledove: A Symbol of Innocence and Peace

The psalmist refers to the soul of the turtledove, a symbol rich with meaning.

Innocence and Purity: The turtledove represents innocence and purity. Despite the trials and tribulations, we are called to maintain our integrity and righteousness before God.

Peace and Hope: The turtledove also symbolizes peace. Even in the face of adversity, we must hold on to the hope and peace that comes from our faith in God.

In our community, we see this innocence and hope in the eyes of our children, in the strength of our elders, and in the resilience of those who continue to fight for justice and equality.

III. The Congregation of the Poor: God's Special Concern

The psalmist speaks of the "congregation of thy poor," highlighting God's special concern for the marginalized and oppressed.

God's Heart for the Poor: Throughout the Bible, God shows a deep compassion for the poor and the oppressed. He hears their cries and promises to be their defender.

Our Reality: We are that congregation today. We have faced economic hardships, educational disparities, and social injustices. Yet, we are reminded that God has not forgotten us. He is with us in our struggles and works through us to bring about change.

IV. God's Unfailing Promise

The plea in Psalm 74:19 is rooted in the belief in God's unfailing promise to His people.

Faithfulness of God: God's faithfulness is the cornerstone of our faith. He has delivered us before, and He will do it again. From the Exodus to the Civil Rights Movement, God has shown that He is on the side of the oppressed.

Our Response: As a community of faith, we must continue to trust in God's promise. We must remain steadfast in our faith, continue to support one another, and strive for justice and righteousness.

God Has Not Forgotten Us!

He calls us His children.

In addition to calling believers His children, Scripture uses a variety of metaphors and descriptions to convey the relationship between God and His people.

Sheep of His Pasture:

Psalm 100:3 (NIV): "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."

This verse depict God as the shepherd and His people as the sheep, emphasizing His guidance, care, and protection.

Branches:

John 15:5 (NIV): "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Jesus describes believers as branches connected to Him, the vine, highlighting the importance of remaining in Him to bear fruit.

The Body of Christ:

1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV): "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

Romans 12:4-5 (NIV): "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

Believers are described as parts of one body, with Christ as the head, signifying unity, diversity of gifts, and interdependence.

The Bride of Christ:

Revelation 19:7-8 (NIV): "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."

The church is portrayed as the bride of Christ, emphasizing a deep, loving, and covenantal relationship.

God’s Chosen People:

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV): "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

This description highlights believers' special status, purpose, and the calling to proclaim God’s praises.

God’s Temple:

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV): "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?"

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV): "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."

Believers collectively are described as God’s temple, signifying that God’s presence dwells among them.

Friends of God:

John 15:15 (NIV): "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Jesus refers to His disciples as friends, indicating a relationship of intimacy and shared knowledge.

Ambassadors for Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV): "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."

This metaphor emphasizes believers' role in representing Christ and His message of reconciliation to the world.

1 Timothy 3:15 calls us: the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Conclusion of the matter:

My brothers and sisters, Psalm 74:19 is a powerful reminder that God has not forgotten us. Like the psalmist, we cry out to God, knowing that He hears us and will deliver us. We are His turtledoves, innocent yet strong, the congregation of the poor whom God holds dear. Let us leave this place with renewed hope and determination, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

As we continue to face the challenges before us, let us remember that our God is a God of deliverance, of justice, and of unfailing love.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word today. Thank You for reminding us that You have not forgotten us. Strengthen our hearts, renew our hope, and help us to stand firm in our faith. Bless our community of faith, guide our steps, and use us as instruments of Your peace and justice. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.